Bullfrog cast the net wide in search of new talent

Resurgent coders the Bitmap Brothers are to open an office in Harrogate as part of an expansion drive. The Wapping-based developers are opening a base for artists and developers in the North Yorkshire spa town, in their bid to attract more talent. After a somewhat fallow period, the Bitmaps have two games in development. Famous for their Speedball, Chaos Engine and Xenon games, the two projects currently in production are sequels - the eagerly anticipated futuristic sports game Speedball 2100 (PlayStation), and PC shoot ‘em up Z2.

“We’ve got big plans for the coming months and the new office is the first in a series of announcements we have planned,” said Bitmap MD Mike Montgomery. “We realise London is not to everybody’s taste, and feel our commitment to a second, northern office is indicative of our plans in the future. We have built a strong reputation on the back of games like Speedball, Xenon 2 and Z, and plan to add the cream of UK development to our team so we can continue making our mark as a leading development force”.

For starters, the Bitmaps have signed up former Bullfrog artist John Kershaw (he’s worked on Syndicate Wars, Populous: The Beginning, Theme Park 2 and Dungeon Keeper) to assist with the graphics on Z2.